Selecting gear-shifting mechanism.



SELECTING GEAR SHIFTING MEGHANISIIII. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I5. I9I3.

1,167,096. 1 IaI-ented @11.4, 1916.

finirla 3s awi s'e SI -I 5455 L ,IrrmmfrA u. A, MYERS, SELECUNQGEARsumma MEGHANISW.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.1'1,19`\3A v w I n f 1916 jjg, iatented. Jim. 4,1916.

s sHEETsFsHEET 4.

@mimmo @o l H l A. MYERS. 'SELECTING GEAR sHlETING-'M-ECHAMSM.APPucATloN HLED sEPT.15, l1913.

Patented Jan. 4, 1916.

FIEL@ @Hotmail FMT@ i HUBERT A. MYERS, 0F TLEDG, OHIO, ASSGFI'QR FUNE-HALF 0 I 0F T01-EEG, OHI.

ALBERT IA. ATWOOD,

Specification of Letters latent.

Patented J an. 4, 1916.l

Application filed September 15, 1913. Serial No. 789,876.

.770 all whom z't'mag/ concern.'

Be it known that I, HUBERT A. lifrnns, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Toledo, Lucas county, Ohio, have invented new anduseful Selecting Gearhifting Mechanism, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to features of simple and ready control of amachine.

This invention has utility when embodied in connection with a machinehaving a plurality of speeds, being especially adaptable to motorvehicles.

Referring to the drawings: Figure l is a side elevation of a motorvehicle, with parts broken 'away to show an embodiment of the inventionadapted thereto; Fig. 2 is a frag mentary plan view of the steeringwheel,-

showing the automatic check precluding shifting of the selectorindicator from forl ward into reverse without additional manipulation;Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail in section of the automatic check for theselector indicator; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of thetransmission .or speed changing gearing with the speed controllerinvention adapted thereto; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of theshiftable gears and another embodiment of the speed con-h trolleradapted thereto; Fig. 6 is a frag mentary side elevation of thecontroller of Fig. 4, showing the shifting to high speed driving, butwith the parts set at neutral, so that the next shifting will be toneutral or disconnected position; Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6,but with the shift' members standing at neutral position and the engagement effected for throwing into reverse or backing position; Fig. 8is a view similar to Fig. 6, butV with the shift members standino; atneutral position and the engagement effected for throwing into highspeed forward; Fig. 9 is l'a side elevation of the speed controller ofFig. 5, showing the shift members in neutral or disconnected position;Fig. 10 is a view'similar to Fig. 9, but with the shift members thrownto effect reverse or backing travel ofthe vehicle; Fig. 11 is a viewsimilar to lig. 9, but with the shift members 4thrown to effect hightravel ferwardfor the vehicle; Fig. 12 is detail of Ithe escapementpermitting selection of .speeds infadvance bythe selector to which .vthe speed controllerl may be brought by Vstagesas may be desired; Fig.13 is a frag on an enlarged scale of and some of the actuating mentaryplan T,fiew, the shift bars connections therefor; Fig. 14 is a Viewsimi` lar to Fig. 6, on an enlarged scale, the ele;

vation of the shift bars and connections being on the line XlV-XIV,Fig.13; Fig. 15 is a section on the lineXV-XV, Fig. 14; Fig. 16 is a detailview in end elevation of one of the selector guides; Fig. 17 is a sideelevation of the selector guide of Fig. 16; Fig. 18 is a detail insideelevation of the right hand fixed retaining guide in Fig. 14; and Fig.19 is a similar view O f the other fixed retaining guide.

The motor vehicle 1 has the internal combustion engine or prime mover 2for actuating through the clutch 3, as held connected by the springs4,'the driving shaft 5. The foot clutch lever 6 may be readily Operatedby the driver of the vehicle to connect or disconnect the motor or primemover 2 from the shaft 5.

Mounted on the steering post 7 of the vehicle, is the steering wheel 8in whichis dising the limitor high speed notch 10, intermediate andslowspeed forward notches 11,

12, neutral notch 13, and reverse limit notch 14. The selector indicatorarm 15 carries the plunger or automatic catch having the tapered end 16followed by the straight portion 17. This plunger is held against thequadrant 9 at all times by the spring 18, and serves as a yieldableresistance in assisting the driver to locate the notches 11, 12.However, the' arm 15 may be shifted past these points readily. The SteepoiZ straight side of the other notches operategts an effective stop forthe arm 15. `When traveling forward, it is accordingly impossible tothrow into reverse directly, because of the notch 13. This' is a safetyreminder to the driver saving the machine from disastrous usage andaccordingly avoiding accident and prolonging the life of the car. Toovercome this automatic checlrcatch between forward and reverse, thehandle 19 may be pulled ,against the action of the spring 18so that thestraight side 17 of the plunger may be i "thdrawn as to permit the arm15 to 'to reyersenoteh 14. 'The notches in this instanceare so designedas to permit selection without the catch at any point in traveling awayfrem the reverse limit to the .high speed limit-,stop notch.

f1.2 y i The indicatorarm may rotate the shaft i and through the bevelgears 21, 22, acturotation at each lift of the dog 27. yieldingconnection between the selector ate the selector shaft 23 extending withits section 23r to the transmission gearing houslng and having thereonthe .cani 24 free for -relative rotation as to the shaft section 23,

but normally actuated with the shaft 23 by the coil spring 25therebetween.

Mounted on the selector shaft 23 is the escapement wheel 26 engaged bythe dog 27 pivotally carried by the bracket 28 of the selector housingor selector and speed controller housing 29 which is attached to thetransmission gearing housing 30 (Fig. 4). The auxiliary dog 31 isnormally held by the spring' 32 (Fig. 12) against the dog 27 to keep thedog 27- in engagement with the escapement wheel 26. The relation ofthese dogs is such that upon dog 27 moving to clear the wheel 26, thedog 31 will be so Vmoved that thenext tooth of the wheel will be lheld,thus precluding more than one topltlh e shaft 23 and selector shaftsection 23 carrying the cam 24, thus. permits the indicator selector arm15 to be shifted, say to high speed forward with the cam 24 at neutral yposition,

and .at each release of the dog 27 thecam willl automatically take itsnext position until the selected high speed position is reached. This isa great convenience in bringing the car up to speed with a minimum ofmanipulation and still protecting the car for gradual changes as againstthe hazards of extremes. y

For effecting. the selected actuation of'the speed controller, the link33 is connected to the clutch lever 6 and extends to the arm 34 fast tothe shaft 35 in the speed controller housing 29. The shaft 35 has rigidtherewith inside the housing 29, thecross arm 36, to one end of which isconnected the link 37 carrying the dog 38, while to the other end -isconnected the link 39 carrying the dog 40.

These dogs 38, 40 are disposed between the sliding shift members or bars41, 42. The narrower central portions 43 onthe bars 41, 42, are suchthat the bars are spaced from the dogs 38, 40. These narrower portions43 have recesses or notches 44, 45, 46, 47, for

' the connector means or dogs 38, 40 to thus 4the initial or startingposition of Fig. 6, the

clutch lever 6 in its thrust forward may first release the clutch 3 fromthe shaft 5 before effective travel is effected bythe cross arms 36.This effective travel pulls any shifted member to neutral position. InFig. 6 this would be the drawing of the bar 41 back into alinement withthe barr 42 by the dog 40 en- V gaging the notch 46.

The selection, of the desired speed control relation of the shiftdevices is effected from the cam 24 having the annular grooves 52, 53,for the rollers 54 on the yieldable or spring stems 55 connected to the4selector guides 56, 57 respectively engaging the pins 58 'of the dogs38, 40. These lselector guides are ivotally mounted by pins 56', 57 onthe Xed retaining guides 59, 60 provided with slots or guide ways havingthe inner communicating point or junction 61. The middle'guide 62 is forneutral or disconnecting position selector guides 56, 57 direct the pins58 thereinto. The dogs 38, 40, are thenheld disengaged and may not beshifted to a connectingposition until vreturned to the junction 61,which is the common neutral disconnecting position of the mechanism. Theyieldable 'or spring stems 55 permit the cam 24 to be rotated to make aselection, even with the pins 5 8 away from the junction 61. The forksof the guides 56, 57, are so configured `holding of the dogs 38, 40,effective when the i that the pin's 58 in their travel inward to iwardthe junctions 61 may follow the ways in the lretaining guides. YTheselector guides yield to permit such travel, but at the junctions 61, atonce properly swing'as selected by the cam 24 to deect a pin 58 for.the-selected outward travel in a retaining way during the reversetravel of the link 33. This reverse travel occurs rafter the forwardpull of the parts to neutral position. The way 63 in the guide member 59holds the pin 58 for shifting the driving connection element tointermediate or second speed forward, through shifting the bar 41rearwardly by the dog 38 engaging in the notch 44,- while the lower way64 in the guide member 59 holds the connection through the dog 38engaging in the notch 45 for reverse or backing by shifting the bar 42rearwardly. The way 65 in the guide member 60 holds the shiftingconnection for high speed forward by connecting the dog 40 with thenotch 46 in the bar 41 to move forwardly, while the` lower way 66 in theguide member 60 holds the connection through the dog 40 with th@ notch47 for slow speed forward by moviig the bar 42 forwardly. While theselection by shifting the rod 23 is yieldable, there is the rigid seriesof elements from the control member or clutch lever 6 directly andpositively connecting for shifting the shift members 41, 42.

The indicator arm 15 is connected-to effect A a definite selection ofspeed for the mechai nism establishing a plurality of driving re- 'when'the selection is for any increase of 224 arexallofwed in each rockingmovement of speed, fbut, allows any settingi-n the' decreasing orreverse. Forward settings of the cam the shaft 35 by the link 37striking the hang'- ing bar 67 the length of which bar may be varied bythe adjustment 68 to time the re- I lease of the escapement to which thebar 67 .is connected. This striking of the bar 67 by the bar 37 in itsupward travel raises the dog 27 to permit rotation of the wheel 26 forone l i toothA distance as the lifting of the dog 27 rocksthe dog 31into holding engagement with the wheel 26. This is a step by steprelease device for the cam selector. The op- I erator-Inay set the arminto the notch 10,

F ig. 2, the selector position for high speed ahead, when thetransmission .elements of the machine are at neutral or disconnectedposition. The first thrust forward ofthe pedal 6 will be followed by itsreturn or recover travel shifting ofthe parts for slow,

or first speed ahead due to the escapement control. Without againtouching the indicator arm 15, successive complete reciprocations of thecontrol member 6 willy result in establishing driving relations ofintermediate or second speed forward and then high speed forward. Eachthrust forward of the pedal, through the rigid connections 33, 34, 35,36, 37, pushes the bar 67, to operate the release device to permit ashifting ofthe cam 24 for eachrelease until the cam has caught lup withthe indicator arm 15.

'driving shaft 5, while shifting inthe re- The change speed gearing(FigJ4) or mechanism for establishing a plurality of driving relationsfor the device or gearing embodies the shifting forl or arm 69 connectedto the shift bar ,or member 41. The actubation of this bar 41 forwardserves to connect the driven shaft 7 O directly to the -verse directionwill effect driving from the gear 71 on the shaft 5, through the gear 72on the countershaft, 73 of the gear 74 in mesh with the intermediatespeed driven gear-75 on the shaft 70. The lower bar 42 carries theshifting arm or fork 76 effective to throw the gear 77 in its forwardshift in mesh with the slow speed ahead pinion 78,

.While the rearward shift effects reverse or back driving through thepinion 79 on the countershaft 73 with the gears ,72. 74. 'The pinion 79is in mesh with the .intermediate gear 80 which engages the gear 77 whenthe gear 77 is shifted rearwardlvf', The speed selection and control isaccordinglyl adapted herein to a. two member shifting; mechanism,opposite shifting vfrom the intermediate dissitions through the pins 58thereon coacting with the selector guides 86, and are retained' in suchselected positions when away from centralI or neutral position by theretaining Y guides 87 having slots or ways for the pins 58. -Theselector guides are shifted by the cams 88, 89 on the shaft 23, havingrespectively the grooves 52, 53, engaged by rollers 54 on the springstems 55 connected to rock the selector guides 86 as the cam settingscontrol.

The operation of the device is simple and certain. The shift bars arenormally retained in neutral position by the-plungers 50. A speedselection from forward to reverse may not be made without releasing theplunger from engagement with the straight side of the neutral notch 13.The speed selected by placing the arm 15 at the indication desired willdirectly set the selector cam shaft 23 when the selection is of a slowerment of the arm 15 away from the notch 10.

This is permitted by the escapement device.

In movements toward notch 10 by the selector. arm 15, the shaft 23 isurged by the spring 25 to take the selected position. Movement of thelever 6 first disconnects the clutch. and at once by continued movementthe release device may trip the escapement, allowing the selecting camto reach the selected position before the lever 6 through its link 33,and series of rigid elements has drawn any shifted bar to central orneutral position. The parts are thus all in readiness for the returntravel of the lever 6 to effect Athe selected-speed relation,A or thenext speed relation from the one before used in progressing towardselected relation, this latter involving a selection ahead by more thanone speed and requiring successive stepping up through the'escapementrelease of one speed 4at a time. The shifting to driving positionoccurring on thev recover travel of the lever 6, is brought about by thedog engaging as selected a shift bar, and the dog in its travel held insuch engagement, While the other dog is locked outybyl riding in thecentral way of the retaining'l guide. The toggle linkage at the 'limit'ofthrow serves as anadditional holding means for keeping the elementsin ithrown position. .v-On'. this mec'overl travelof the lever` -6, the,operator may with his foot deterrninef-as j fthevlevg'r travels how theparts 'aresomwg'lntb 'dur' ing relation. a Usually the simple quicklthrust and recover answers. However,.in

some instances some unusual condition may arise calling vfor extrememovements in the range of speed selection,

u andinstead of such maximum difference 1n running relation between thegears being permitted to damage i the gears, the operator may controltheir engages,

vsafeguard for the machine.

' than the pin 83 on the bar 81. Thus a "shorter shiftbar travel 'rector high speed is possible.

in clutching for di- Instead ofa kick bar 67 'for release of theescapement catch as adapted vto the device of Figs. 6, 12, the device ofFig. 9 has the slotted bar 91 with an adjustment 68, (Fig. l2) the bar91 being connected to raise the dog 27 from the wheel 26 on the shaft28.

The slot ,fthe bar 91 engages the pin fof` the toggle jointv between thecross arm 36 andthe dog 85, theslot permitting such movement of thetoggle as may be found desir-able before tripping of the release deviceytakes place, according tothe position of :1d-

justment used. What is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patentis: i

l.. A driving member, a drivQn member,

variable speed gearing therebetween,` a,`

clutch, means for operatingl the clutch to connect and disconnect thegearing and one Y of said members, shifting meanshaving connectingpositions at which it may engage the gearing,said shifting means movableto change the speed of the gearing, positive holding means of theshifting meansto the gearing against disconnection at other Athan aconnecting position, and driving relation determining means operable toselect the shifting means movements, there being connections from theclutch operating means to .the shifting means having variable travelArate to act more rapidly in the gear shifting portion of travel and lessrapidly in reconnecting the clutch disconnected before the shiftingmeans are moved. 2. A driving member, a driven member, variable speedgearing therebetween, a clutch, means for operating the clutch 4toconnect and disconnect the gearing'and one of said members, shiftmembers having connecting positions at which they may enthe speed ofFig. G is wider clutch, mechanism for maintaining connectiony gage thegearing, said shift members mov-` able to change the speed of thegearing, positive holding `means for maintaining connection 0f thevlshift members to the gear- 4ing against disconnection at other than aconnection position, anddriving relation determining means operable toselect the shift member to be connected for movement, there beingconnections from the clutch operating means to rapidly actuatingtheshift member during changing move ent of the shift member than theclutch is actuated to con- V neet to the gearing. 'f

8. A clutch, a' lever for operating the forA establishing a pluthe shiftmember more,

rality of driving relations, a series of elements connected te the leverto be operated thereby, shift members having connecting positions atwhich they may engage the mechanism, said shift members connected to themechanism and operable to change the speed thereof, positive holdingmeans 'for maintaining connection of the `shiftmembers to the mechanismagainst disconnection at other than a connecting position, the shiftmembers having greater` travel rate relatively to the lever afterthe'lever has moved a portion of its throw, thereby permitting theclutch' to be free before shifting takes place, and driving relationdetern mining means operable at any time inde pendently of the shiftmembers.

4. Mechanism for establishing a plurality of driving relationscomprising shifting means for the mechanism embodying reciprocablemembers, and actuatormeans including a pivoted dog for the shiftingmeans,.o ne of said means extending laterally beyond the other topartially embrace the other, said actuator dog being positivelyshift-able from an intermediate disconnected position as tothe shiftingmeans to effect opposite actuations of the shifting means.

5. Al mechanism for establishing a plu rality of driving relations `andshifting' means for the mechanism' Aembodying a pedal, a device actuatedthereby embodying '-a paif of pivotally connected members 'and anactuator arm-rigid with one of the members.

6. A mechanism for establishing a plurality of driving relations, andshifting means for the mechanism embodying a pedal, a pair of devicesactuated thereby including pivotally connected members and anactuatorarm rigid with one of the mem- 7. A, clutch, al control member for theclutch, mechanism for establishing a plurality of. driving relations,and shifting means for the mechanism including an engaging means,aguide, and driving relation determining means directing the engagingmeans for coaction with the guide., sai

lao

shifting means being connected to the control member.

8. A mechanism for establishing a plurality of driving relations, andshifting means for the mechanism, engaging means "actuated by thelshifting means, and a guide .to hold the actuated engaging means invengaging or disengaging position during the shifting.

9. A mechanism -for establishing a plurality of driving relations, apair of shift members for the mechanism, a pivoted actuating connectoroppositely s'wingable to engage either of said members, means for movingthe swung connectorffor positively reciprocating With the member, and aselector` for'directing the swing of the connector 1 yindependently ofthe position of the con- I said member, means `for moving the svvu'ngV vconnector for positively-reciprocating 4With rality of drivingrelations, a shift memberfor the mechanism, and a pair of pivotedactuating connectors swingable to engage the' member, and selector meansfor direct- "ing the swing ofthe connectors independently of thepositions of the connectors.

12A mechanism for establishing a plurality of driving relations, a shiftmember for the mechanism,'and a connector roch-l able into engagementWith said member,

'means for moving the rocked connector for 'positively reciprocatingwith the member,

and a selector for directing the rock of the connector independently' ofthe position of the connector.

13. A mechanism for establishing a pliirality of driving relations,adjacent shift members for the mechanism, and an intermediate actuatingconnector oppositely movable to engage either member, single selectorfor directing the connector into actu.-

rality ,ofy driving relations, adjacent ating vand non-actuatingrelation, and guide for retaining the connector mechanism shiftingengagement with the shiftl member during the entire tra/ y' the member.

1,4. A mechanism for establishing members' for ythe mechanism, and an imediate actuating connector oppositely in abi'to engage either member,and a1 sin selector for actuating and non-actuati' lations of theconnector provided guide for directing the connector.

15. A mechanism for establishing a plurality of driving relations, ashift member for the. mechanism, and an actuating connector movable toengage said member, a

single selector for actuating and non-actuating relations of theconnector provided. with a guide for directing the connector, and aguide for positively retaining the connector in engaging relation ordisengaging relation as directed.

16. A mechanism for establishing a plurality of driving relations, ashift member for the mechanism, an actuating connector.

movable to engage said member, a single selector guide for shifting theconnector into actuatingand non-actuating relations, and actuating meansfor the selector guide yieldably connected to the selector guide.

17. A mechanism for establishing a plurality of driving relations, ashift member for the mechanism, an actuating connector including apivotally mounted dog movable Yto engage said member for positiveshifting selector means for determining the connec-l tor dog to beshifted and shifting the dog so determined, and actuating means for theselector means movable -in advance of the selector means.

19. A mechanism for establishing av plurality of driving relations,shift means for the mechanism, actuating connector means movable toengage the shift means, selector means for shifting the connector means,actuating means for the selector means'movable in advancerof theselector means, and a release device connected to be actuated 'with theactuating connector means, said device permitting the selector means toshift the connector means as determined by the actuating means.

20,.A mechanism for 'establishing a plu-A rality of driving relations,'shift means for the mechanism, actuating connector means movable toengage the shift means, selector means for shifting thezconnector means,actuating means lfor the selector means mov able in advance of theselector means, ditty-- I ing connections for the actuating connect rmeans, and a release device operable by tire connections, said devicepermitting means ptov shift the connector terminedfby the actuatingmeans.

for establishing forward and reverse driving relations, an actuatorhaving connecting positions at which it may engage the mechanism forshifting the mechanism to diHerent driving relations, positive holdingmeans lfor maintaining connection of the actuator to the vmechanismagainst disconnection at other than a connecting position, and ashiftable selector 'for the,

actuator embodyingan automatic positive catch from forward tov reversebut self re- 13 leasing on return, and an additional manual release forthe positive catch.

In witness whereof I aix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

v f HUBERT A. MYERS. Witnesses:

GEO. E. KIRK,

GLADYS JAMESON.

